What is keto friendly at Canes?

Recent online discussions reveal that many keto dieters successfully navigate fast food menus with minor modifications. So, what is keto friendly at Canes? The answer lies in simple swaps, primarily asking for unbreaded chicken tenders and skipping the high-carb items to build a custom low-carb meal.

Quick Summary

This guide provides an overview of how to create a ketogenic meal at Raising Cane's. It explains which items, like unbreaded tenders, are low-carb and outlines the adjustments needed to make a satisfying meal while avoiding high-carb elements such as bread and fries.

Key Points

• Order Naked Tenders: Requesting your chicken tenders unbreaded is the single most important step for a keto-friendly meal at Cane's.

• Skip the Sides: Eliminate all standard sides, including fries, Texas Toast, and coleslaw, which are high in carbs.

• Be Wary of the Sauce: The signature Cane's Sauce contains sugar and is not keto-compliant; avoid it or bring your own low-carb alternative.

• Choose the Right Drink: Stick to water, diet soda, or unsweetened iced tea to avoid sugary beverages.

• Focus on Protein: The unbreaded chicken tenders are a fantastic high-protein, low-carb option for your meal.

• Plan Ahead for Sides: Consider bringing your own keto-friendly side dish, as Cane's doesn't offer any.

Navigating the Raising Cane's Menu for Keto Success

Eating keto while dining out, especially at a fast-food joint famous for its fried chicken, can be challenging. Fortunately, with a few simple modifications, it's possible to create a delicious and satisfying keto friendly at Canes meal. The key is to understand what's on the menu and what you can safely order or request without derailing your diet. The standard menu items, such as the Box Combo, are inherently high in carbohydrates due to the breading on the chicken, the fries, and the Texas Toast. However, the star of the show—the chicken—can be ordered in a low-carb format, making it the perfect foundation for your meal.

The All-Important 'Naked' Tenders

Your main course and primary source of protein at Cane's will be the chicken tenders, but you must ask for them in a specific way. Ordering "naked tenders" or "unbreaded tenders" is the secret to a keto-compliant meal. While the traditional breaded tenders are high in carbs, the naked version is simply flash-fried with seasoning, removing virtually all the carbohydrates from the coating. This results in a juicy, flavorful piece of chicken that is rich in protein and fat without the excess carbs. It's important to note that these might be slightly less crispy than their breaded counterparts, but they remain a delicious option.

Side Dishes: What to Keep and What to Skip

When building your keto-friendly order, it's crucial to be selective with your side dishes. Many of the standard sides at Cane's are high in carbohydrates and must be avoided. The following breakdown will help you make the right choices:

• Crinkle-Cut Fries: These are pure carbohydrates and are not keto-friendly. You should skip them entirely.
• Texas Toast: A staple of the Cane's meal, Texas Toast is bread and therefore off-limits for a ketogenic diet.
• Coleslaw: This side is more of a gray area for some keto dieters, as it contains sugar in the dressing. While a small serving might not push you over your daily carb limit, it's generally best to avoid it to be safe, as it can be surprisingly high in carbs.

Since there are no officially low-carb side dishes at Cane's, the best strategy is to focus on the protein and your beverages.

Canes Sauce: Proceed with Caution

For many, Cane's is all about the signature sauce. However, a single serving of Cane's Sauce contains 6 grams of carbohydrates, primarily from sugar. While a small amount might be acceptable for some following a "dirty keto" approach, strict keto dieters should avoid it. A better option is to ask for a side of mayonnaise, if available, or carry your own low-carb, keto-friendly sauce.

Customizing Your Keto Order at Canes

Here’s how you can construct a typical keto meal at Cane’s:

Order Strategy

1. Request "Naked Tenders": Ask for unbreaded chicken tenders to serve as your protein base. You can order any combo and specify "naked" or "unbreaded" for the chicken.
2. Skip the High-Carb Sides: Forgo the fries and Texas Toast. If you're okay with a small amount of sugar, consider the coleslaw but be aware of its carb content.
3. Use Caution with the Sauce: Skip the Cane's Sauce if you're a strict keto dieter. If you can, bring your own keto-approved condiment, such as a sugar-free barbecue sauce or a mayonnaise-based dip.
4. Choose a Keto-Friendly Drink: Opt for unsweetened iced tea, black coffee, or diet soda instead of sweetened beverages.

Item	Keto Status	Modification	Reason
Chicken Tenders	Not Keto	Order "Naked"	The breading adds high carbs. Naked tenders are unbreaded.
Crinkle-Cut Fries	Not Keto	Skip	Fries are made of potatoes, which are starchy and high in carbs.
Texas Toast	Not Keto	Skip	Bread is a high-carb food and is not keto-friendly.
Coleslaw	Borderline Keto	Skip or Limit	Contains sugar in the dressing, making it high in carbs for a side dish.
Cane's Sauce	Borderline Keto	Skip or Use Caution	Contains 6g carbs per serving, mostly from sugar.
Beverages	Varies	Choose Unsweetened	Sweetened drinks are high in sugar. Opt for water, unsweetened tea, or diet soda.

A Sample Keto Meal at Canes

For a filling and flavorful keto meal at Cane's, consider the following custom order:

• The 3-Finger Combo (Modified): Ask for "naked" tenders and get a to-go container. Request no fries, no toast, and no drink. Order a cup of ice water or diet soda. As a savvy keto dieter, you might have your own keto-friendly salad or veggies prepared at home to pair with your chicken.

This simple adjustment transforms a carb-heavy meal into a high-protein, low-carb feast. While not an ideal long-term solution for optimal keto health, this approach provides a convenient and satisfying option for those times when fast food is the only choice.

Conclusion

Staying true to your keto lifestyle at Raising Cane's is entirely possible by making one crucial request: "naked tenders." By bypassing the breading and avoiding all other high-carb items like fries, Texas Toast, and the signature Cane's Sauce, you can enjoy a quick and protein-rich meal. While the menu is simple and limited in low-carb options, knowing how to modify your order ensures that you can still enjoy the flavor of their freshly prepared chicken without breaking ketosis. The key takeaway is that customization is your best friend when eating keto on the go at a restaurant like Cane's.

The Low-Carb Cane's Customization

• Naked Tenders: Order the chicken tenders without any breading to eliminate most carbohydrates.
• No Fries: Skip the crinkle-cut fries, as potatoes are not a keto-friendly vegetable.
• No Toast: Refuse the Texas Toast, which is pure carbohydrate filler.
• Watch the Sauce: The Cane's Sauce is high in carbs due to its sugar content; avoid it or use a keto-friendly alternative.
• Select Your Drink Wisely: Stick to unsweetened iced tea, black coffee, or diet soda.
• DIY Your Side: Since Cane's lacks keto sides, consider bringing your own low-carb side salad or vegetables to complement the naked tenders.
• Focus on Protein: The unbreaded chicken tenders provide an excellent source of protein for your keto meal.
• Check for Hidden Carbs: Always be mindful of any unknown seasonings or ingredients; naked tenders are the safest bet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the regular chicken tenders at Canes keto friendly?

No, the regular chicken tenders at Raising Cane's are not keto friendly. They are battered and fried, meaning they are high in carbohydrates due to the breading.

What should I order at Raising Cane's to make my meal keto?

To make your meal keto at Raising Cane's, you should order the chicken tenders "naked" or unbreaded. You will also need to skip the fries, Texas Toast, and the Cane's Sauce.

Can I have Cane's Sauce on a keto diet?

A strict ketogenic diet would not permit Cane's Sauce, as one serving contains 6 grams of carbohydrates from sugar. For those on a "dirty keto" diet, a very small amount may be acceptable, but it's generally best to avoid it.

Is the coleslaw at Raising Cane's keto?

No, the coleslaw at Raising Cane's is not keto friendly, as the dressing contains sugar, which contributes significantly to the carb count.

Are there any low-carb drinks at Canes?

Yes, you can order unsweetened iced tea, black coffee, or diet soda, as these contain no or very few carbohydrates.

Is there a secret menu option for keto at Canes?

There is no official secret menu, but asking for "naked tenders" or "unbreaded tenders" is a well-known customer customization that the staff will understand.

How do I add fat to my keto Cane's meal?

To add more fat to your keto meal, you can bring your own keto-friendly, high-fat dressing or mayonnaise to use with the naked tenders, since the Cane's Sauce is not ideal.